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汞 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
汞gǒngmercury (element)n, 7 strokes, radical 水, rank #13621, Very Hard
汞gǒngmercury (chemistry)unknown, 7 strokes, radical 水, rank #13621, Very Hard
汞gǒngsound of a bellunknown, 7 strokes, radical 水, rank #13621, Very Hard
汞hòngmercury (element)n, 7 strokes, radical 水, rank #13621, Very Hard
汞hòngmercury (chemistry)unknown, 7 strokes, radical 水, rank #13621, Very Hard
汞hòngsound of a bellunknown, 7 strokes, radical 水, rank #13621, Very Hard
gǒng(gong3)
primary
T3
  1. 1mercury (element)
  2. 2mercury (chemistry)
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

汞gǒng(gong3)

汞 (gǒng) refers to the chemical element mercury, which is a heavy metal known for its liquid state at room temperature. It can also refer to the sound produced by a bell, although this usage is less common. In chemistry, it is important for discussions involving toxic substances and various applications in thermometers and barometers.

Strokes7Radical水Frequency#13621DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese medicine, mercury was historically used in some remedies, though its toxic properties are now well-known. This reflects the historical context of how substances were viewed in ancient Chinese culture.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'gong' (like a bell) made of mercury that rings with a heavy sound. The character 汞 has the water radical '氵' on the left, suggesting its liquid form, while the right part '工' can remind you of industrial uses of mercury.

Meanings of 汞

gǒng(gong3)
primary
1mercury (element)
2mercury (chemistry)
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 汞

汞Simplified
7Strokes
水Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 汞

JasonAmy

Podcast: 汞

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 汞

Usage Notes

汞 is typically used in formal contexts, particularly in scientific discussions about elements or chemistry. A common mistake is confusing it with other metals; learners should remember it specifically refers to mercury. Be cautious of the tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

While 汞 is not part of the HSK curriculum, it connects with other scientific vocabulary at higher levels. Students should focus on the chemical properties of heavy metals and their applications in real-world contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse汞 with other metals like 铜 (copper) or 银 (silver) due to similarities in usage. Remember that汞 specifically refers to mercury, which is unique in its liquid state at room temperature.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 汞

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Etymology of 汞

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 水 represents the meaning and 工 represents the sound. Simplified form of 銾.

Memory Hint

water

Semantic (meaning)水
+
Phonetic (sound)工
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 汞

Phonosemantic compound. 水 represents the meaning and 工 represents the sound. Simplified form of 銾.

  1. 1The meaning half水 carries the sense.
  2. 2The sound half工 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
  3. 3The giveawaywater
  4. 4On the record aspictophonetic.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 汞? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 汞?

Decomposition of 汞

IDS Structure⿱工水
汞Full Character
=
工gong1
top
水Shui3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 汞?

How to say mercury (element) in Chinese

“mercury (element)” in Chinese is汞gǒng

汞 (gǒng) refers to the chemical element mercury, which is a heavy metal known for its liquid state at room temperature. It can also refer to the sound produced by a bell, although this usage is less common. In chemistry, it is important for discussions involving toxic substances and various applications in thermometers and barometers.

When to use 汞

汞 is typically used in formal contexts, particularly in scientific discussions about elements or chemistry. A common mistake is confusing it with other metals; learners should remember it specifically refers to mercury. Be cautious of the tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to confusion with similar sounding words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse汞 with other metals like 铜 (copper) or 银 (silver) due to similarities in usage. Remember that汞 specifically refers to mercury, which is unique in its liquid state at room temperature.

Write 汞

汞

Practice writing 汞 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 汞

汞 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

雷____中可能含有微量的乙二酸汞.

Mercury fulminate may contain trace of mercuric oxalate.

Example Sentences for 汞 (1)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
雷汞中可能含有微量的乙二酸汞.

léi gǒng zhōng kě néng hán yǒu wēi liáng de yǐ èr suān gǒng.

Mercury fulminate may contain trace of mercuric oxalate.

Cultural Notes for 汞

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, mercury is often associated with industrialization and environmental concerns, whereas in Chinese culture, it had a historical medicinal significance that contrasts with its modern understanding as a toxic element.

Word Family of 汞

Words Containing This Character4
汞gǒngmercury (chemistry)
甘汞calomel or mercurous chloride (Hg2Cl2)
毫米汞柱millimeter of mercury
升汞mercuric chloride (HgCl)
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 汞 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 汞

汞 is significant in chemistry as it represents mercury, a heavy metal used in various scientific instruments and industrial processes.

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